Nissan shows GT-R sportscar

Even as automakers slash production targets and cut workers, Nissan showed off a souped up version of its GT-R sportscar.

Nissan shows GT-R sportscar

08 January 2009By Yuri Kageyama

Even as automakers slash production targets and cut workers, Nissan showed off a Y15 million ($A227,721) souped up version of its GT-R sportscar on Thursday that it said was a bargain compared to European rivals.

Models are planned months in advance, and the release of the new offering had been set long before the financial crisis hit, undermining demand for cars around the world.

While the timing of the release may have been a bit awkward for Nissan - which like its competitors has lowered production and cut temporary workers - the company's chief engineer stressed that the GT-R exhibits Nissan's dedication to quality craftsmanship.

"We want to keep making something better," said Kazutoshi Mizuno, emphasising the Japanese reputation for dexterity, hard work and care for details.

While sportscars don't sell in big numbers, they can be crucial for a company's image and spur public interest.

Nissan Motor Co's GT-R, introduced worldwide a year ago, sells for Y8.6 million ($A130,560). The more expensive GT-R Spec V adds features such as greater power with improved mileage, special brakes usually for circuit racing cars and a paint job inspired by an opal, Mizuno said.

Mizuno said the GT-R Spec V is a deal compared to European offerings, which cost twice as much or more. The targeted buyer probably already owns a sportscar or two, Mizuno told reporters in a Tokyo showroom.

The standard GT-R has wooed Japanese from Ferrari, Porsche and other import sportscars, and it is selling well in Europe and the US Nissan sold 1,600 GT-Rs in the US as of November.

The GT-R Spec V goes on sale February 2 at seven dealers in Japan, which can provide the extra maintenance services for the model. It is planned for sale later this year in Europe, but North American sales are still undecided.

The car comes out at a time when Japanese automakers are seeing their global sales sink, including in the vital US market. Nissan North America Inc, Nissan's US unit, said earlier this week that its December US sales fell more than 30 per cent.

While Nissan plans to produce 1,000 of the standard GT-R models worldwide a month, it can only make 20 or 30 of the Spec V cars a month.